At present there are six bands booked and one spot remains open for a fabulous country band. Opening the day is Todd Young and his Stinking Gringos.

In this order, the bands performing are The Test Band; Dive; Knucklebone; Bob Lanza Blues Band and lastly CSNsongs to close the show. CSNsongs is a tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and are spot on with the sound, style and arrangements of the great musical group they portray.

All of the bands can be heard on the website vetssummerfest.org and there you can also read more about each of them.

All of the bands, who represent different genres of music, are very talented musicians who play fabulous music as bandmates and who come together as one. The bands have been gracious enough to donate their time and talent to this benefit for homeless vets.

Gary Cee of WNNJ, ClearChannel Radio will be the master of ceremonies for the festival. Gary has graciously offered to be onsite for the entire day and also host interviews on his program, with the Operation Chillout volunteers and others responsible for the production of this event.

Tramontin Harley Davidson is organizing a bike run and all bikers are invited to attend the event, both as part of the run and individually. To be on the organized run, contact Nancy@tramontinHD.com.

A car show is being organized and all types of car clubs are welcome. Prizes for different categories will be awarded at 4 p.m. by Gunnery Sergeant Marion Monaco, retired.

The highlight of the day will happen at the Dedication Ceremony beginning at 1 p.m.

Remembrance of those who served our nation in the military will begin with Gunny Marion Monaco leading the Pledge of Allegiance; the Nation Anthem and the invocation will follow.

Jon Asdourian, USAF retired, will present the Missing Man Ceremony which is an emotional dedication to MIAs and POWs. The Knights of Columbus will provide their color guard as well.

Several congressional people and other elected officials have been invited and it is expected that at least one will be present. Still being worked on is the military color guard and bagpipers. High ranking Military officials have also been contacted and it is expected that one or more will be present to speak at dedication of this event.

Sponsors are still needed. We want to thank Extreme Energy Solutions in Ogdensburg for their sponsorship; also Spirit of the Arts and the Knights of Columbus for their massive effort; Home Depot, Wells Fargo Advisors in Rockaway, and some anonymous contributors for their generosity.

There is still a shortfall of about $3500, which we hope to resolve before the event date. Those who might like to become sponsors or donors are asked to contact Sandy at 973-875-2068 or email sandy@mitchellclan.com, who is the executive producer of Vets Summer Fest.

Vendors are still needed, especially, but not limited to, snack food such as funnel cakes, empanadas and other walk-around food. Operation Chillout will do the main food but are looking for donations of raw materials. All of their proceeds are donated to the cause.

Craft and retail vendors are invited and any children’s fun activity vendors are very much welcome to contact Sandy to be part of the Vets Summer Fest.

Operation Chillout is a nonprofit company who serves the homeless and PTSD disabled veterans. They are the first responders for those vets who have lost their way.

Chillout volunteers will receive calls from various agencies that there is a vet living under a bridge or on a park bench. They will do the outreach to the vets; put them up in a motel until temporary housing can be found.

They arrange for medical, dental and metal health care and once that is completed, they help them with integration back into society by providing them access to professionals who can help with training and job openings.